News Release

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Hot Prowl Robbery in Alexandria Hotel

Los
Angeles: LAPD detectives released video today of a man
wanted in an early-morning robbery at the Alexandria Hotel located
at 501 South Spring Street.

"This man startled a married couple out of their sleep as he stood
over them with a knife," said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer
of the Central Detective Division. "The suspect stole cash,
laptops, and ATM cards, which he used to withdraw cash
later."

Around 4 a.m. on September
21, a Black man, wearing a light polo shirt, burst into a room at
the Alexandria Hotel where a married couple was sleeping. Seeing
the knife, the victims agreed to cooperate with the suspect, which
included giving him their PINs to ATM cards.

Surveillance cameras in the hotel captured the suspect's image
walking through the garage and up a stairway in the hotel.

"Most burglars go out of their way to avoid confrontation," Lt.
Vernon explained. "This suspect was not afraid of running into his
victims, and perhaps, intended to all along. That makes him more
dangerous."

Police use the term "hot prowl" to describe a burglary in which the
suspect enters with a resident present. Hot prowls occur less
often than traditional burglaries, but they raise the level of
concern and the threat of violence.

"It's possible the suspect lives in the hotel himself, or in the
neighborhood," Lt. Vernon added. "We hope someone will recognize
him so we can arrest him before he hurts someone."

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective
Alfredo Rasch, Central Robbery Unit, at 213-972-1245. Anonymous
tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by
texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) with a cell phone. All text messages
should begin with the letters "LAPD." Online tips may be placed at
www.LAPDOnline.org by clicking on "webtips" and following the
prompts.